Artifact Loan Box

Enhance your classroom curriculum with incredible artifacts from our teaching collection. Artifact Loan Boxes focus on the daily life of ancient world cultures. These themed objects sets provide primary and secondary sources for classrooms and other educational settings – for up to a month! Through touching and studying replica artifacts, students foster deeper connections to other cultures.

About the Program

Artifact Loan Boxes are comprised of replica objects that come from the Penn Museum’s Teaching Collection. Artifacts can be handled without gloves and are appropriate for all ages and a variety of learning environments. These portable “object kits” can be shared among many classes for maximum educational impact.

Artifact Loan Boxes are great for history and world cultures classes, but also can be used for library displays, and language and visual art courses (creative writing, drawing, 3-D scanning, design, etc.). These provide a great pre-visit or post-visit experience for students that visit the Penn Museum for tours and workshops. Borrow a box for up to a month!

Artifact Loan Boxes feature:

8-10 touchable artifacts

Classroom lesson plans, worksheets, and activities

Penn Museum Gallery Guides

Expedition magazine articles written by Penn experts

SELECT FROM THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

The following themes connect directly to our signature galleries.

Africa

African ContinentImmerse students in the diverse array of cultures represented on the continent of Africa through carefully paired artifacts and related activities. Investigate musical instruments, ritual masks, wooden figures, and clothing that vary in material and design to discover the similarities and differences between African countries.
Connects to: Africa Gallery, Imagine Africa exhibition, International Classroom programs

Ancient World

Classical WorldGet an inside look into the Classical world with artifacts from Etruscan, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Close study of coins, votive figures, and drinking vessels tell the story of these influential cultures.
Connects to: Greek Gallery, Etruscan Italy Gallery, Rome Gallery, Digging Up Rome Interactive Workshop, Daily Life in Ancient Rome, International Classroom Programs

MesopotamiaBring the earliest civilization to life with Mesopotamian replica artifacts! Discover how these first cities, writing system, and mythologies evolved with close study of raw materials, cuneiform tablets, votive figures, and more.Connects to: China Gallery, Japan Gallery, International Classroom programs

Asia

Asian ContinentExplore the vast continent of Asia with domestic artifacts and artworks from China, Japan, Thailand, and India. Reveal the thread linking the major cultural traditions in Asia through Buddhist artifacts, activities, and Penn Museum publications.

ChinaExplore the rich history of China through the examination of paper cutouts, currency, replica tomb figures, silk textiles, and more! Religious and scholastic artifacts encourage a deeper understanding of daily life in ancient China.

JapanPorcelain painted vessels, along with a manuscript and tea set, provide insight into cultural traditions, past and present. Learn more about Japanese Buddhist practices through the association of Amid Buddha statue and Singing Bowl set.

North America

Native American VoicesAuthentic artifacts ranging from the Southwest to the Arctic describe diverse Native American tribes, past and present. Refer to the vocabulary list, maps, and lesson plans in the included Native American Voices Educator Guide to structure appropriate groups discussion and activities.
Connects to: Native American Voices: The People Here and Now exhibition, International Classroom programs

Mexico and Central AmericaStudy the rich cultural traditions of Mesoamerica, the birthplace of the Maya and Aztecs, with artifacts from common kitchen tools to replica stela that commemorate the power of ancient rulers.
Connects to: Mexico and Central America Gallery, Maya 2012 Educator Guide

Booking Information

Age

All Ages

Length

30 Days (one month)

Price

$75 for one month loan

Pick-Up Timing

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 3:00pm. Teacher must pick up and return Loan Boxes

When to Book

Reservations must be finalized by the 10th of the month prior to your Loan Box loan month